Kelly’s 2019 NFL Mock Draft 2.0

It’s still relatively early in the NFL season, so if you’re unhappy with where your team is currently drafting, tell them to win more games. If you’re a Chiefs fan who is upset that your team isn’t projected to win the Super Bowl, tell them to win in Foxboro and stay undefeated next time.

1. San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco is currently in line for the No. 1 overall pick, despite a roster that seemingly could be winning games if they had a healthy Jimmy Garoppolo. If they find themselves in this position come draft time, it’s a great opportunity for them to add a blue chip prospect to the roster.

With the news that Nick Bosa will not be returning to Ohio State and entering the NFL Draft, he is now the favorite for the top pick. His well-rounded game as a pass rusher and edge setter would fit into any defense, but especially along a defensive line that already has Deforest Buckner, Solomon Thomas, and Arik Armstead. While this creates a bit of a logjam, Bosa is too talented and Thomas is a versatile enough piece to move inside on passing downs. The 49ers defensive line would become one of the most talented in the league.

2. Arizona Cardinals

It’s time to start talking about Brian Burns at the very top of the NFL Draft. This man eats Power 5 competition for all three meals of the day.

In Burns’ last 7 games against the Power 5, he has 12.5 sacks. Not only that, he’s had 1.5 sacks in each and every one of those games. The athletic pass rusher offers some of the best bend and explosiveness around the edge in the class.

Arizona would be able to pair Burns with Chandler Jones, creating a formidable presence on either side and taking some heat off of their all-pro. With a roster that’s in a complete rebuild, Burns offers value and upside at this stage.

3. New York Giants

There was a recent report about the possibility of Justin Herbert returning to Oregon. With the extra year of eligibility and his brother an incoming freshman for the Ducks, this idea makes sense. However, it’s so early in the game for a definitive answer, and Herbert would be passing up QB1 and relegating himself to a class with Tua Tagovailoa in it.

If Herbert enters the draft, there have already been rumblings about the Giants targeting him. It makes sense, as Eli Manning has been ineffective for a few years now. Herbert would come into an excellent situation as far as the surrounding talent on the Giants offense, and provide youth and promise to a team that has struggled for a season and a half.

4. Oakland Raiders

Edit:Well, hello there Raiders fans. Last Draft season, I had the pleasure of bringing #RaiderNation Daily 7 round mock drafts. Now, Coach Gruden has made it so every first-round mock draft is basically a Raiders mock draft. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to google who the oldest players in the draft are.

Jon Gruden hates the incumbent defensive backs. While that may not be completely true, he has benched Gareon Conley and Karl Joseph in recent weeks. It’s obvious that Gruden believes the Raiders need talent on the backend.

Greedy Williams is a talented cornerback prospect who has lived up the the hype so far this season. With Denzel Ward flourishing in Cleveland after being selected 4th overall in 2018, teams may be more likely to pull the trigger on cornerbacks this early in the draft.

5. Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis needs talent in a lot of places. Ideally, they continue to surround quarterback Andrew Luck with blockers or playmakers, but neither of those spots provide decent value at this stage.

You may have heard about how ridiculous this defensive line group class will be, and Ed Oliver will be at the forefront of it. Oliver is an interior disruptor who relentlessly works his hands and eats double teams. While a bit undersized for the position, he plays with great leverage. He has a legitimate shot at being the top rated prospect in the entire class.

At this stage, Oliver would provide value similar to when the Colts snagged Quenton Nelson at the 6th pick in 2018.

6. Buffalo Bills

Buffalo has missed on recent pass rushing selections in recent drafts, and currently lack production in that area. Similar to Indianapolis, they need to surround their young quarterback with protection and skill players, but that would likely come with multiple picks later on.

Ferrell is the best prospect on the Clemson defensive line, who offers an overall skillset. He’s up to 6 sacks on the season through 6 games played, and would provide an immediate upgrade to the Bills pass rush.

Ferrell isn’t quite “can’t-miss,” but he qualifies as a high ceiling, high floor prospect in my eyes.

7. Atlanta Falcons

When Atlanta has a healthy roster, they are entirely too talented to be selecting in the top 10. With injuries and a slow start to the season, they could dig their way back into the playoff race with a win tonight. For now, they’re also the beneficiary of the excellent defensive line class.

Quinnen Williams has possibly been the biggest “riser” among prospects this season. Being stuck behind Da’Ron Payne last year, Williams didn’t have a chance to showcase his ability. I don’t say this lightly: Williams might be the best Alabama defensive line prospect we’ve seen in recent memory. He’s that’s good.

A tireless worker who sheds blocks with ease, Williams is a force on the interior. Sound in his run discipline and built with an ideal frame, Williams might climb all the way to the top of the interior defensive line rankings when all is said and done.

8. Cleveland Browns

Cleveland struck gold with Denzel Ward, and will likely look to round out their defensive back group with another cornerback in the Draft. They’ve showed that they have no fear of “reaching” for talent, and Murphy has the makings of a first-round prospect.

Murphy has excellent ball skills, and plays the catchpoint with anticipation and hand placement. His sticky coverage skills would give the Browns two plus starters at cornerback for the foreseeable future, and make their secondary dreadful to throw against.

Edit: How ironic is it that I mocked the first receiver of the Draft to the Cowboys, only for them to flip the pick for a former first-round wide receiver later that day? The thing is, I could see Oakland targeting Kelvin Harmon as well. The Raiders current top wide receiver is 33 year-old Jordy Nelson. Martavis Bryant is facing a possible year-long suspension. The rest of the depth chart consists of Seth Roberts, Dwayne Harris and Brandon Lafell, the trio currently have 18 combined receptions on the season.

There is now an obvious need for a young receiver on the roster. Oakland lands one here.

10. Tennessee Titans

Tennessee made my favorite selection of the 2018 NFL Draft when they took Harold Landry, and they could continue their rebuild of the pass rush by taking Montez Sweat.

Explosive and violent, Sweat uses his physical tools and active hands to regularly get home against SEC offensive tackles. Pairing him with a player like Landry gives Tennessee a young duo who are relentless in disrupting the pocket. With Derrick Morgan and Brian Orakpo’s contracts expiring, it’s likely time for the Titans to move on from the older duo and explore a young EDGE in the Draft.